1.1 INTRODUCTION
Section 23(2)(i) places a legal obligation on the employer/owner/agent/manager to maintain complete cleanliness & sanitation in the mine premises.
Cleanliness is treated as a
safety requirement, not just a welfare measure, because poor sanitation can directly contribute to:
- Accidents
- Spread of diseases
- Slip hazards
- Contamination
- Decline in worker efficiency
- Non-compliance penalties
DGMS treats this rule as
critical and inspects it during official mine audits.
1.2 SCOPE OF CLEANLINESS The rule applies to
every part of the mine, including:
A. Surface Structures - Administrative office
- Time office & muster room
- Manager’s office
- Weighbridge area
- Stores & godowns
B. Operational Areas - Workshops (mechanical/electrical)
- Pump houses
- Sub-stations
- Haul roads & service roads
- Conveyor galleries
- Silo and bunker areas
- CHP & washery areas (if applicable)
C. Welfare Buildings - Canteen
- Rest shelters
- First-aid room
- Ambulance room
- Change room & locker room
- Bath rooms/shower rooms
- Drinking water station
D. Hazard-Prone Locations These require
extra attention:
- Oil handling area
- Fuel storage
- Battery charging room
- Compressor house
- Welding area
- Tyre changing shed
E. External Environment - Parking area
- Waste disposal yard
- Drains & stormwater channels
- Green belt / plantation zone
- Pathways used by workers
Point to remember: Section 23(2)(i) includes
“buildings and entire premises” → meaning
no area within mine boundary can remain unclean.
1.3 CLEANLINESS STANDARDS (VERY IMPORTANT FOR EXAM) A. Floors & Surfaces Surfaces must always remain:
- Clean – no dirt, coal dust, mud
- Non-slippery – free from oil/grease
- Obstruction-free – tools/material should be properly stacked
Methods: - Wet mopping
- Pressure water jets
- Use of degreasing agents in workshops
- Regular sweeping (multiple times daily in high-traffic areas)
B. Dust Control Dust must be controlled in:
- Wagon loading area
- Crusher & screening area
- Transfer towers
- Roadways
- Workshop floors
Methods:
- Water spraying
- Moisture control
- Fog/mist system (recommended)
- Vacuum cleaning
- Enclosures in dusty operations
DGMS considers dust accumulation a health hazard (silicosis).
1.4 SANITATION SYSTEM (MANDATORY INTEGRATED HYGIENE SYSTEM) A. Toilets/Urinals: Although detailed rules are under Rule 10, Section 23 mandates:
- Continuous cleaning
- Disinfection
- Adequate water supply
- Ventilation and lighting
- No foul smell
- Separate facilities for men/women
Cleaning frequency:
Shift-wise cleaning + Daily deep cleaning B. Washrooms & Bathrooms Must be:
- Well-ventilated
- Clean & dry
- Equipped with soap, bucket, mug
- Cleaned multiple times per day
C. Drinking Water Points Must be:
- Clean
- Free of algae, mud
- No stagnant water around
- Provided with dustbins
1.5 DRAINAGE MANAGEMENT Stagnant water is strictly prohibited.
Mine must have:
A. Surface Drainage - Well-designed drains
- Proper slope (self-drainage)
- Regular desilting
- Covered drains in worker movement areas
B. Wash-water & Wastewater Must be:
- Diverted to effluent treatment
- Never allowed to accumulate
- Not mixed with drinking water supply
C. Prevention of Problems Poor drainage leads to:
- Mosquito breeding
- Slip accidents
- Electrical hazards
- Water contamination
- Smell & hygiene issues
1.6 WASTE MANAGEMENT A. Segregation Waste must be divided into:
- Biodegradable
- Non-biodegradable
- Metal scrap
- Plastic waste
- Hazardous waste (oily rags, chemicals)
B. Storage - Bins must be covered, labeled, leak-proof.
- Oily rags must be stored separately (fire hazard).
C. Disposal Waste must be regularly shifted to:
- Scrap yard
- Solid waste dump
- Authorized recycler (for hazardous waste)
1.7 CLEANING STAFF – QUALIFICATION & DEPLOYMENT A. Required Manpower Cleaning must be done by:
- Trained personnel
- Supervised by Welfare Officer/Safety Assistant
B. Training Must Include: - Personal hygiene
- Handling cleaning chemicals
- Safe waste disposal
- Emergency response
C. Protective Equipment Cleaning staff must have:
- Gloves
- Gumboots
- Masks
- Aprons
- Eye protection (where needed)
1.8 CLEANLINESS INSPECTION (HIGHLY EXAM-RELEVANT) A. Who must inspect? - Manager
- Safety Officer
- Welfare Officer
- Mine Foreman (area-wise)
- Competent person
B. Frequency - Daily: common areas, toilets, workshop
- Weekly: drains, stores, rest shelters
- Monthly: deep cleaning of buildings
C. Inspection Records Must maintain:
- Cleanliness register
- Sanitation inspection form
- Drainage maintenance log
- Canteen hygiene checklist
1.9 PENALTIES & NON-COMPLIANCE CONSEQUENCES Failure to comply may lead to:
- DGMS notices under OSHWC Code
- Withdrawal of permission to operate
- Fines
- Increased inspections
- Unsafe working condition notices
1.10 PRACTICAL CLEANLINESS SYSTEM (BEST PRACTICE) A. Daily Activities - Sweeping of all offices & buildings
- Toilet cleaning (shift-wise)
- Workshop oil clean-up
- Drinking water area cleaning
- Waste collection
B. Weekly Activities - Drain desilting
- Canteen general washing
- Store yard cleanup
- Bush cutting around sanitation areas
C. Monthly Activities - Painting / whitewashing (as per requirement)
- Major drainage cleaning
- Structural cleaning of workshop building
1.11 WHY CLEANLINESS IS ESSENTIAL IN MINES (EXPERT ANALYSIS) - Prevents slip, trip, fall accidents
- Reduces disease transfer (diarrhea, dengue)
- Reduces fire hazards (oil-soaked rags)
- Improves worker morale & discipline
- Ensures compliance with DGMS
- Contributes to better productivity
2. QUICK ONE-LINERS - Cleanliness is mandatory under Section 23(2)(i).
- Applies to entire mine premises.
- Toilets require shift-wise cleaning.
- Workshops must be oil-free & non-slippery.
- Drains must be clean & flowing.
- Stagnant water is strictly prohibited.
- Waste must be segregated & covered.
- Cleaning staff must be trained.
- PPE for cleaners is compulsory.
- Drinking water areas must be hygienic.
- Oil spills must be cleaned immediately.
- Dust accumulation must be minimized.
- Canteen must be disinfected daily.
- Weekly inspection is mandatory.
- Records must be maintained.
- Sanitation is linked to safety.
- Lighting & ventilation improve cleanliness.
- Grease & chemicals are hazardous wastes.
- Dirty premises create accident hazards.
- Wastewater must not accumulate.
- DGMS inspects sanitation regularly.
- Signboards must be displayed.
- Housekeeping training is essential.
- Washrooms must be odor-free.
- Soap & water supply required.
- Floors must be kept dry.
- Scrap must be stored orderly.
- Daily sweeping mandatory.
- Mine manager is responsible.
- Cleanliness improves productivity.
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